Participants should be aware of the following financial/non-financial relationships: . Adrianna Sonnek, MPH: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.
Abstract: Objectives: Understand the current state of medical-dental collaboration and both consumers’ and providers’ attitudes on desire for healthcare integration. Methods: A nationally representative survey of adult consumers was conducted in January and February of 2021 by NORC. Respondents (N=5,320) described their attitudes, behaviors and experiences regarding oral and general health care. Additionally, a survey of DentaQuest-enrolled oral health providers (N=535) assessed attitudes regarding medical-dental integration. Results: Medical-dental collaboration was found to be lacking by both consumers and providers. Less than a third of consumers reported receiving health screenings in a dental setting. Most consumers reported feeling comfortable with health screenings in a dental setting (75% were comfortable with blood pressure screening, 70% with COVID-19 screening, and 65% with diabetes screening). Consumers also indicated willingness to receive vaccines from their dentist, with 60% reporting interest in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine in a dental setting. Integration of medical and dental insurance was also desired, with 69% of consumers preferring having both types of coverage through the same company. Oral health providers also reported lack of integration, with only 14% integrating their care with non-dental clinicians as part of their daily practice. Oral health providers reported a need for better tools, with over half (51%) indicating they would be more willing to screen for diabetes if better tools were available. Conclusions: Both consumers and dental providers desire more integration of medical and dental services. More tools are needed to address missed opportunities for health screenings and vaccine distribution in a dental setting.
